. >> thanks, olga. >>> this morning we have technically gone over the fiscal cliff, however, the senate has reach add deal to avoid some of the tax hikes and the automatic spending cuts. >> we're far from having a done deal. if the senate passes on the compromise, it will move to the house where it will likely face more opposition. tara mergener reports from capitol hill. >> reporter: in the early morning hours of new year's day, the senate began voting on a bill to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. >> the bill as amended is passed. >> reporter: the senate voted 89-8 to avoid tax hikes for 99% of all americans. >> this shouldn't be the model for how we do things around here but i think we can say we've done some good for the country. >> reporter: if the bill eventually becomes law, the bush era tax cuts will be permanently extended for everyone making less than $400,000 a year. and families making less than $450,000 a year. it will also keep the alternative minimum tax for the wealthy from hitting millions of middle-class families. >> middle-class families will wake up today to the assu